The Kalamazoo Christian Comets are on to the Class C boys basketball quarterfinals for the first time since their 2008 championship season, thanks to a 51-33 victory over the Quincy Orioles in the Regional 17 final Wednesday at Bangor High School.  The Comets found offensive production from eight different players and used smothering defense to keep Quincy’s top scorer Nathan Karney off the board until the fourth quarter.

“We focused on getting the ball out of his hands,” said Comets head coach Brennan Davis.  “He didn’t get open.  We have a couple great defenders.  We really executed on both offense and defense.”

Quincy initially started ahead by three, but the Comets took an 11-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.   The Orioles briefly got back ahead, but Kalamazoo Christian ended ahead 10-7 in the quarter for a 21-16 halftime lead.   The third quarter is where the Comets assumed control, winning the frame 15-6 and holding on from there.    Offensively, Alex Visser and Drew Scheffers led the way with 11 points each for Kalamazoo Christian.

“We don’t rely on one guy,” said Davis.  “Noah DeJong’s defense was amazing.  Drew Scheffers hitting big shots, that kid’s so clutch.”   Davis also credited Adam Ritsema’s effort off the bench, seeing more time due to an illness to Jordan Katje.

Quincy finishes the season at 20-5.  Freshman post William Dunn led their offense with 18 points.   Karney, the lone senior in their lineup, scored seven.  Kalamazoo Christian improves to 18-7 and advances to the quarterfinal round Tuesday at 7 p.m. from Davenport University.

“One of our main goals this year was to win a district title,” said Visser.  “It just feels good to bring it all together at this point in the season and just start playing well.”

Next up is Covenant Christian, who defeated Muskegon Heights Academy at the buzzer to win their regional final 51-50.

“They execute, they love to shoot the three,” said Davis of the Chargers.  “We’re really gonna have to play our best basketball to beat them.”

You can listen to Tuesday’s quarterfinal game live on Michigan Sports Radio at 7 p.m.  You can listen back to the regional final below: